Kay S. Kashian

I am a resident of El Paso Township, live downhill, down the road and down steam from potential storm run-off from Ridge Breeze Dairy. Our region’s greatest assets are our rivers and streams, abundant wildlife, rolling hills and peacefulness. I have made this place my home.

This amazing region of the state is inhabited by many people for many reasons. There are generational farmers and new small farmers, people who own farms and are committed to being stewards of the land, renters, retired folks and new families.

Many of us are concerned by the expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy to 6,500 head of cattle, the waste that will be produced, how it will be disposed of and the impact on our roads from the hauling of manure, on the watershed from five high-capacity wells and potential storm run-off from the manure lagoons that are being built on this property.

For years industrial ag proponents have been selling the idea that farmers must “get big or get out,” at the same time representing people who disagree as anti-farmer. Many of us are farmers whose chosen way of life is threatened by these large operations. Big Ag has drowned out the voices of local citizens and farmers. This industry is financed by wealthy investors whose interest is profit. The industry sends the clear message that they want to have their way and will not let anyone get in the way of that.

We are citizens and volunteers who want to guard what we love and what we own and protect this space for future generations. Most of us are not wealthy. We have fundraisers and hold meetings to inform people of the potential damage from the expansion of this industry.

Everybody who lives in Wisconsin deserves clean and safe drinking water, streams, rivers and lakes that are clean and are homes for wildlife and human enjoyment.

I joined GROWW because they are working to protect these things and more. I joined the Contested Case against the permit for Ridge Breeze to help ensure that protections are strengthened in Wisconsin at the state and local levels to ensure a clean and beautiful future for all.